Boxing: Anthony Joshua to fight again in 2017, says Eddie Hearn

Promoter Eddie Hearn expects IBF and WBA world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will be back in action in October or November.

The 27-year-old British boxer is the talk of the sporting world after histhrilling stoppage win over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley on Saturday night.

Joshua (right) beat Wladimir Klitschko in the 11th round of their Wembley fight on Saturday

Hearn told Sky Sports News HQ on Wednesday the Joshua camp will now take their time to assess their options but expects the fighter to face his next opponent in the autumn.

"I think every fighter, after going through a fight like that, the first thing they tell you the week after is that they just want to get back into the gym, and they are going to do this, and improve on that, and they don't want too long to be laid off," said Hearn.

"Then, after about five days, they turn around and say 'I want to go on holiday'.

"So, we are on that period. I saw Anthony was swimming this morning and shadow boxing under water.

"I am guessing in the next 48 hours, he will say 'I want to go on holiday, I need a break', so that will come.

"Speaking to [Joshua's trainer] Rob McCracken yesterday - October, November, is probably the kind of date you will see Anthony Joshua back in the ring."

Joshua's next opponent is yet to be decided, with Tyson Fury claiming he is ready to fight his British heavyweight rival without a warm-up match, while the mandatory challenger to the WBA 'super' belt that Joshua acquired on Saturday night, Luis Ortiz, has said he would beat Joshua within eight rounds.
"[There are] various options," said Hearn. "You've got the mandatory situation to deal with, with [Kubrat] Pulev.
"You have got a potential rematch with Wladimir Klitschko, which would be a great fight again.
"So, [we will] just take our time, assess the situation, keep doing all the things we have been doing to get to this stage, because they have all been successful."